The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa, east of Zambia, south of Tanzania, and north of Mozambique. It was colonized by Britain under the name Nyasaland in 1891. From 1953 and 1963 it was included with Zambia and Zimbabwe in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. After the Federation disbanded Malawi became an independent nation in 1964. Largely rural, Malawi is one of world's least-developed countries. It has a population of nearly 20 million. Lake Malawi, Africa's third largest lake, occupies about 75% of Malawi's eastern boundary. It is long and narrow: roughly 570 km (350 mi) long north to south and generally 50-65 km (30-40 mi) wide. The lake drains southward through the Shire River, a tributary of the Zambezi River. Ferries provide transportation on the lake and there are many small fishing craft but cargo shipment is light. The most important port is Chipoka, on the southwest coast; it is the only port with a rail connection. Navigation on the lake is guided by a series of small lighthouses sharing the design of the Nakantenga Island Light shown at right. We do not know the history of these lights, how many there are, or how and by whom they are maintained. This page lists several for which photos are available.
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Information available on lost lighthouses:
Notable faux lighthouses:
Adjoining pages: North: Tanzania | East: Northern Mozambique | West: Zambia
Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key
Posted November 20, 2021. Checked and revised February 20, 2025. Lighthouses: 5. Site copyright 2025 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.